They will then attend go to Buckingham Palace for tea with the Queen, and Downing Street for an early evening reception.

The prime minister denied he had hijacked the Downing Street event so Labour
could share in the champions' glory.

"I hope people pay absolutely no attention to some of the nonsense in the
papers suggesting otherwise," he told Sky's Sunday with Adam Boulton
programme.

"As far as I am concerned I don't mind who comes. I am absolutely delighted
to have the Conservatives there, the Liberal Democrats, whoever wants to."

All Mr Howard had to do was "pick up the phone and ask," he said.

But Mr Howard seemed less than impressed at the suggestion, and in a
round of interviews during a visit to Scotland, said: "If Mr Blair wants me to phone up and ask for an invitation, I'm
happy to do that."

'Proud'

But he went on: "He doesn't seem to understand he is not the only person who
is proud of what the England rugby team achieved two weeks ago.

"The whole country is proud of that achievement and it's right the whole
country should be represented in any celebrations."

Downing Street has previously said the evening was a government reception to honour the team, and not a party political event.

"We do hope every effort is made on all sides to ensure any potential party
political controversy is not allowed to intrude into what is a great national
day."

Some central London roads will be
closed to traffic from mid-morning for safety reasons, and remain closed
until crowds disperse.

Buses will be diverted away from the area from 1000 GMT and some tube stations,
including Oxford Circus, Marble Arch, Bond Street, Piccadilly Circus and Charing
Cross, could be overcrowded or temporarily closed.